Crossing-frog



No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. G. SHIPMAN. (mossme FROG.

No. 527,297. Patented 001;. 9, 1894.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. G. SHIPMAN.

CROSSING FROG.

No. 527,297. Patented Oct. 9, 1894.

Frogs, of which the following is a V UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN C. SHIPMAN, OF SUNBURY,PENNSYLVANIA.

cRossmc-Fuoe.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 527,297, dated October 9, 1894:.

Application filed July 5, 1 8 94.

i To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN C. SHIPMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sunbury, in the county of Northumberland and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Crossingspecification.

My invention relates to railroad crossing frogs. Hitherto, frogs of this character have generally been built up of steel rails cut to proper lengths and mitered at their adjoining ends to suit the angle of the crossing. These rail sections haveusually been bolted or riveted to a base plate and the main rails and guard rails have been bolted together with filling blocks of cast iron in between.

Frogs constructed as above outlined are very expensive, and on account of the many separate parts they wear out rapidly and have to be frequently renewed. When one of these frogs wears out, it is generally found that the filling blocks are broken and theadjoining rail ends at the angle of the frog are so battered down that they cannot be used again. The cost of rebuilding the frogs is therefore nearly as great as the original cost. It is customary in making frogs of this class to cut all the steel parts from ordinary steel rails and this involves a large amount of labor.

The object of my invention is to produce a crossing frog which is simple and strong in its construction, which is cheaper in the first cost than the frogs in common use, which will wear well and which may be renewed at comparatively slight expense.

I To this end my invention consists in certain improvements in frogs of this class, of

which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- I Figure 1 is a plan View of my invention, showing the preferred construction; Fig. 2

is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, show-.

Serial No. 516.638. (No model.)

Fig. 7. is a side view of one of the crossing frogs composing the crossing. Fig. 8 is a central sectional view of the same. Figs. 9 and 10 are similar views of another modified form, and Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the angle block.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, A represents a base block having a central platform 1 and four arms 2 which radiate from the center in the direction of the rails of the crossing. The frogs shown in the drawings are for right angled crossings, but it will be understood that my invention applies to crossings of any inclination or angle. The arms 2 are formed of such shape that the rails 3 of the adjoining track may fit snugly against them. As shown in Fig. 5, the arms have vertical sides and the foot of the rail is removed so that the web may fit snugly against the arms and be firmly connected thereto by means of bolts. The central platform 1 is preferably formed with V-shaped grooves 4; in its upper surface for a purpose to be hereinafter specified.

The baseblock consisting of the platform 1 and the arms 2 is formed in a single piece of suitable metal, preferably a steel casting.

Beneath the base block is a cross-shaped metal plate 5 having arms extending in the direction of the arms 2 of the base block. The base block is firmly bolted or riveted to the plate 5, and the main rails and guard rails 33 are also riveted to this plate as shown in the drawings. The rails are cut to suitable lengths and fitted to the arms 2 with their inner ends against the platform 1 and they are bolted to the arms, as above stated, in addition to being riveted tothe foundation plate 5.

Seated on the platform 1 is an angle block 6 having intersecting grooves 7 located between angular ridges 8 which register with the ends of the rails 3. This angle block is preferably formed on its lower surface with V-shaped ridges 9 which fit in the grooves 4 and prevent the angle block from turning or working. The block 6 may be connected to the base block by bolts or .in any suitable manner. I prefer to form the base block with a central perforation 10 and to provide the angle block with a central downwardly projecting stud or post 11, and with means for retaining the post in the perforation. As shown, the post is firmly locked in place by means of a key 12, which in turn may be secured by a bolt or set screw 13.

Instead of constructing my improved frog as described, I may cast the base blocks and rails of a set of four crossing frogs all in one piece, or I may cast the same in two pieces as shown in Fig. 6, there being two frogs in each piece. In Fig. 6 the main rails 14. and guard rails 15 of two of the frogs are cast integral with the base block. The usual platform lis provided and the angle blocks 6 are, the same as those above described.

In Figs. 7 and 8 the rails 14 and 15 are shown with vertical sides, which is a very strong construction, but rat-her too heavy.

In Figs. 9 and 10 the rails are cast with side and bottom grooves which gives them more of the appearance of ordinary rails.

In using my improved frogs, the angle block tends to wear out due to the pounding of the wheels as they pass over it, but on account of the rail angles being solid instead of mitered joints, my improved frogs will wear longer than the ordinary form of frogs. When the frogs become worn, it is usually only necessary to replace the angle blocks and this can be done in a very short time, usually within an hour. I

It will be seen that the angle blocks and base blocks for a set of crossing frogs will require but two patterns, inasmuch as all the frogs of a set are of the same angle. These patternsmay be kept in stock and new castings made whenever desired. Itis preferable to have an extra set of castings on hand at all times to provide for accidents due to Wrecks or other causes.

It will be evident that minor changes in the constructionof crossing frogs maybe made without departing from the spirit of my invention, and hence I do not care to limit myself to the precise construction and arrangements of parts shown and described in this application.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a crossing frog, the combination with the base block having a central platform and vided with V-shaped grooves and having arms, of an angle block adapted to rest on the platform and provided on its lower surface with ridges corresponding to the grooves and on its upper surface with angular ridges or rails separated by intersecting grooves, V substantially as described.

I 3. In a crossing frog, the combination with the base plate consisting of a central plat form and arms radiating therefrom and adapted for the attachment of the rails, of a foundation plate beneath the base block connected thereto by rivets or bolts and an angle block seated upon the platform and pro- Vided with angular rails upon its upper surface separated by intersecting grooves, substantially as described.

4. In a crossing frog, the combination with the base block having a central platform and radiating arms, and a central perforation, of an angle block adapted to rest on the platform and provided with a post or stud upon its lower side, and means for retaining the post in the perforation of the base block, the upper side ofthe angle block being provided with angular rails and separated by inter secting grooves, substantially as described.

5. In a crossing frog, the combination with the base block having radiating arms and a central platform, of the rails attached to the arms, the foundation plate beneath the rails and the base block and connected thereto, and the angle block arranged upon the platform, and means for securing the angle block to the base block, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN G. SHIPMAN.

Witnessesi S. P. KEROHNER, J. SIMPSON KLINE. 

